i. Biography
Takeshi Nagashima is Owner Chef of 81 in Tokyo, Japan, where progressive cuisine is the working language and El Bulli is the clear point of reference in his training.
Coming Up
Training at El Bulli gave Takeshi Nagashima a professional baseline built on precision, discipline, and the expectation that every action in the kitchen should justify itself. That kind of formative chapter is not only about technique; it establishes a standard for how to think, work, and build a menu. In a kitchen associated with boundary-pushing work, the lesson is less about style than about exactness, and that standard remains legible in the way his career is described. The move from training to authorship is marked by 81, where Takeshi Nagashima holds both Executive Chef and Owner Chef responsibilities in Tokyo, Japan. That dual role puts craft and leadership in the same frame. The restaurant is not a separate chapter from his formation but the place where its demands are put to use, with progressive cuisine serving as the form through which his training is translated into a personal restaurant identity. The arc between El Bulli and 81 gives its structure: one kitchen formed the standard, the other is where that standard is practiced in full view. Taken together, they show a career built methodically, with the authority of the title earned through a clear progression from student to operator.
Where They Are Now
At 81 in Tokyo, Japan, Takeshi Nagashima works as Owner Chef, with Executive Chef also listed in the restaurant’s current structure. Tokyo sets a demanding context for that role, and 81 sits within it as a place where the technical habits learned earlier are organized into a present-day service. The result is a restaurant defined by control, focus, and a progressive cuisine lens that reflects the discipline of its maker.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Takeshi
What is Takeshi Nagashima's current role?
As of 2026, Takeshi Nagashima is Owner Chef.
Where did Takeshi Nagashima train or study?
Takeshi Nagashima trained at El Bulli.
What is Takeshi Nagashima known for?
Progressive cuisine.
